Characteristics of Huizhou architecture

Characteristics of Huizhou architecture

Huizhou ancient buildings are made of brick, wood and stone, with wooden frames as the main materials. The beam is made of huge materials and pays attention to decoration. The middle of its beam is slightly arched, so it is commonly known as "winter melon beam". Both ends are engraved with flat (Ming Dynasty) or round (Qing Dynasty) patterns, and the middle part is often engraved with various patterns, which makes the whole body look magnificent and magnificent. The material of the column is also quite thick, and the upper part is slightly thinner. The pillars of the Ming Dynasty were usually spindle-shaped. Liang Tuo, claw column, fork hand, Baquan, Queti (Ding Tou Arch in Ming Dynasty) and diagonal braces are engraved with patterns and lines. The ingenious combination and decoration of beam components make technology and artistic techniques integrate into one, and achieve a perfect and harmonious wonderful situation. Generally, the beam frame is painted with tung oil, without colored paint, which is particularly simple and elegant. Corners, patios, railings, lighting walls, leaking windows, etc. It is built by cutting bluestone, red sandstone or granite into stone strips and slabs, and the natural texture of the stone itself is often used to synthesize patterns. The walls are basically built with Xiaoqing bricks to the horse head wall.

Brick, wood and stone carvings are widely used in Huizhou architecture, showing a superb level of decorative art. Brick carvings are mostly embedded in doorways, window lintels and zhaobi, and large pieces of blue bricks are carved with vivid figures, insects, fish, flowers and birds, eight treasures, Bo Gu and geometric patterns, which are very decorative. Wood carving plays an important role in the carving decoration of ancient houses, which is manifested in the line carving pattern on the moon beam, the Lotus Pier on the pole bucket, the screen door partition, the sash and hanging board under the window, the arch fence on the floor, the watchtower around the patio, etc. Covering figures, landscapes, flowers and plants, birds and beasts, eight treasures, Bo Gu and so on. There are many themes, including traditional operas, folk stories, myths and legends, as well as life scenes such as fishing, firewood, ploughing, reading, feasting, drinking tea, traveling, music and dancing. There are various techniques, such as wire carving, bas-relief, through carving, high relief, round carving and hollow carving. The content and techniques of its performance vary with different building parts. These woodcarvings are not decorated with paint, but the details of carving are more vivid through high-quality wood colors and natural textures. Stone carvings are mainly displayed in ancestral halls, temples, memorial archways, towers, bridges, courtyards, doorways, railings, pools, flower beds, leaky windows, zhaobi, column foundations, drum stones and stone lions. The contents are mostly auspicious dragons, cranes, tigers, lions, elephants, Kirin, Xiangyun, Babel, Bo Gu, landscapes and people's stories. Mainly in relief, through carving and round carving, it is simple and elegant, vigorous and natural.